Steels and aluminium alloys - Engineering and ecological evaluation

Strength properties and energy considerations favour in actual structures sleets over aluminium. Both materials are environmentally benign and their production processes are steadily improved in terms of consumption of energy, emissions, decrease and reutilisation of wastes, and recycling and can be therefore classified as "green" materials. Better yield of fuel and emissions decrease are driving forces for a stronger share of aluminium in mass produced cars. However, the paralel development of steel properties and car parts manufacturing processes strengthen the position of steel. It seems that in mass car production a stronger breaking through breaking through of aluminium can be expected only if a new design of the car body is developed.